Ex-Manchester United Striker Berbatov Reveals Teen Kidnapping by Bulgarian Gangsters to Influence Club Move

Dimitar Berbatov, former Manchester United and Tottenham striker, has revealed a harrowing experience from his youth when he was kidnapped by gangsters in Bulgaria who tried to force him to transfer to a rival club. At 18, while playing for CSKA Sofia, Berbatov was lured by a teammate to a restaurant where he was confronted by intimidating men linked to notorious Bulgarian gangster Georgi Iliev, who demanded he join their team. Held hostage for several hours and fearing for his life, Berbatov managed to call his father, whose intervention helped secure his release and allowed him to remain with CSKA Sofia. The ordeal profoundly affected Berbatov, forcing him to mature quickly and highlighting the brutal realities young footballers might face in some countries. Despite this trauma, Berbatov went on to have a successful career at Manchester United, becoming a fan favorite and winning multiple trophies. His story sheds light on the darker side of football transfers and the risks behind the scenes in professional sports.